ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Claflin used an eight-run third inning to help the Panthers take an 18-8 victory over the Benedict College Tigers in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday night.

Benedict (13-12) scored one run in the first inning on an RBI single by Javier Santiago, but Claflin (20-10) answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. The Tigers took a 5-3 lead in the top of the second as Bradon O'Connor had a bunt single to score a run, and Myles Snype and Joseph Macaluso each had RBI singles.

Claflin retook the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second on a bases-loaded double by Eric McElveen. McElveen led the Panthers with five RBIs on the night. Claflin put the game away with eight runs in the third.

Benedict added a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Snype. Claflin added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a two-out bases-loaded hit batsman and a wild pitch. The Tigers scored the final two runs for the Tigers in the fifth on a Claflin error and a passed ball.

The Tigers return to action with a four-game conference series at Paine College on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled to start at noon.